[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 19--TO REQUIRE THAT A DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY OF EACH 
   PROVISION OF ANY LEGISLATIVE MATTER BE AVAILABLE 72 HOURS BEFORE 
CONSIDERATION BY ANY SUBCOMMITTEE OR COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE OR ON THE 
                          FLOOR OF THE SENATE

  Mr. ENSIGN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Rule and Administration:

                               S. Res. 19

       Resolved,

     SECTION 1. PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF A DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY OF 
                   EACH PROVISION OF LEGISLATION.

       (a) Committees.--Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the 
     Senate is amended by inserting at the end thereof the 
     following:
       ``14. (a) It shall not be in order in a subcommittee or 
     committee to proceed to any legislative matter unless the 
     legislative matter and a descriptive summary of each 
     provision of the legislative matter has been publically 
     available on the Internet as provided in subparagraph (b) in 
     searchable form 72 hours (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and 
     holidays except when the Senate is in session on such a day) 
     prior to proceeding.
       ``(b) With respect to the requirements of subparagraph (a), 
     the legislative matter and descriptive summary of each 
     provision shall be available on the official website of the 
     committee.
       ``(c) This paragraph may be waived or suspended in the 
     subcommittee or committee only by an affirmative vote of \2/
     3\ of the Members of the subcommittee or committee. An 
     affirmative vote of \2/3\ of the Members of the subcommittee 
     or committee shall be required to sustain an appeal of the 
     ruling of the Chair on a point of order raised under this 
     paragraph.
       ``(d)(1) It shall not be in order in the Senate to proceed 
     to a legislative matter if the legislative matter was 
     proceeded to in a subcommittee or committee in violation of 
     this paragraph.
       ``(2) This subparagraph may be waived or suspended in the 
     Senate only by an affirmative vote of \2/3\ of the Members, 
     duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of \2/3\ of the 
     Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be 
     required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of 
     the Chair on a point of order raised under this subparagraph.
       ``(e) In this paragraph, the term `legislative matter' 
     means any bill, joint resolution, concurrent resolution, 
     conference report, or substitute amendment.''.
       (b) Senate.--Rule XVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate 
     is amended by inserting at the end thereof the following:
       ``6. (a) It shall not be in order in the Senate to proceed 
     to any legislative matter unless the legislative matter and a 
     descriptive summary of each provision of the legislative 
     matter has been publically available on the Internet as 
     provided in subparagraph (b) in searchable form 72 hours 
     (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays except when the 
     Senate is in session on such a day) prior to proceeding.
       ``(b) With respect to the requirements of subparagraph (a), 
     the legislative matter and descriptive summary of each 
     provision shall be available on the official website of the 
     committee with jurisdiction over the subject matter of the 
     legislative matter.
       ``(c) This paragraph may be waived or suspended in the 
     Senate only by an affirmative vote of \2/3\ of the Members, 
     duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of \2/3\ of the 
     Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn, shall be 
     required in the Senate to sustain an appeal of the ruling of 
     the Chair on a point of order raised under this paragraph.
       ``(d) In this paragraph, the term `legislative matter' 
     means any bill, joint resolution, concurrent resolution, 
     conference report, or substitute amendment.''.

     SEC. 2. PROTECTION OF CLASSIFIED INFORMATION.

       Nothing in this resolution or any amendment made by this 
     resolution shall be interpreted to require or permit the 
     declassification or posting on the Internet of classified 
     information in the custody of the Senate. Such classified 
     information shall be made available to Members in a timely 
     manner as appropriate under existing laws and rules.

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